Perception of occupational radiation risk associated to nuclear medicine among radiographers

Abstract

Purpose: The risks from radiation exposure associated to Nuclear Medicine (NM) practice remain uncertain and the way radiographers perceive this risk have not been studied. The aim of the study was to explore radiographers’ perception of occupational radiation risk to NM practice. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to: (1) conduct a systematic literature search, and review the literature on the subject and (2) design and disseminate a questionnaire to investigate the radiation risk perception of radiographers to NM practice. Methodology: Data was collected through an online questionnaire from radiographers employed in a public hospital and private hospital where a NM facility is present. Radiographers with and without training in NM were included in the sample. Statistical analysis was performed to compare risk perception between subsets of the sample. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the open-ended section of specific questions. A reflexive diary was kept through the data collection and analysis period. Results: Out of a potential 145 respondents, 68 (46.9%) radiographers submitted complete responses. The majority (53%) of participants were concerned with the handling of radioactive sources. Statistically significant differences in perceived risk have been established between radiographers without and with training in NM (p = < 0.05), between those with and without children (p = < 0.031) and years of experience (p = < 0.03) Exploratory factor analysis concluded that the components of risk included in the study explained for 68.10% of variance in risk perception. Conclusion: Risk perceptions among those with and without training in NM have been attributed to previous work experience. The level of work experience affects risk perception among radiographers. Most (52%) of the variance in risk perception was attributed to factors associated with the unknown component of risk.